Marked in Shadows

After leaving Matteo's home, I went to the hospital to get an antidote serum. Only then did the swelling on my body finally go down.

After resting at home for a few days, I received the party plan from Matteo.

The location was Moonlight Forest, supposedly where he first met Sabrina, and every detail, from the desserts and flowers to the patterns on the plates, had strict requirements.

The timeline was tight and the workload was heavy. I spent three days running around frantically to prepare everything.

Three days later, Sabrina's welcome party officially began.

She appeared before everyone in an expensive haute couture gown. Guests immediately swarmed around her, flattering and fawning over her as everyone regarded her as the next Luna.

Sabrina smiled smugly like she already owned the title.

Someone said, "Sabrina is still as beautiful as she was back then! No wonder the Alpha dotes on her so much. Anyone would be unable to forget someone so gorgeous."

"Back in school, Alpha Matteo rejected the only daughter of Silver Coast Pack's Alpha. Later, he got punished by the old Alpha for three straight days. He did all that just for Sabrina," another added.

"Everyone in the pack knows the Alpha only has eyes for Sabrina. Look at all those gems on her dress... Each one is priceless! Only Sabrina could make the Alpha put in this much effort."

I stood in the corner silently listening, not saying a word.

Soon, Sabrina walked over smugly, her eyes full of disdain as she spat, "So you're the one who organized this party for me? No wonder it's so sloppy. You didn't even lay down a carpet for me. My feet are killing me from walking on this hard marble in heels."

I kept my head down, forcing myself to stay calm. "Please wait a moment. I'll have someone prepare one right away."

Just as I was about to make the call, Sabrina suddenly stopped me. "I can't wait for the carpet. How about this? Tear off part of your dress and lay it under my feet. Then, I'll forgive you."

I would never agree to such an outrageous demand.

My dress was sewn by my mother and was the only keepsake she had left me. There was no way I would let Sabrina trample on it like that.

Seeing me stay silent, Sabrina's expression immediately darkened.

When Matteo noticed Sabrina was unhappy, he rushed over to ask what was wrong.

She grumbled, "Matteo, there's no carpet on this floor, and it's hurting my feet. I just asked her to let me use her dress as a cushion, and she refused. Is she still holding a grudge from last time?"

Matteo looked at me coldly. "It was your job to make sure everything was ready. Sabrina’s feet wouldn’t hurt if you had done it right. It’s just a dress. After the party, I’ll buy you a new one."

My heart turned completely cold. Matteo knew how much the dress meant to me, yet he was still willing to force me to destroy Mom's keepsake for Sabrina's sake.

The surrounding guests started whispering among themselves.

"That Beta really thinks she's something special, daring to refuse Sabrina's request."

Another said, "Exactly. Sabrina's the future Luna, while she's just a Beta. Who does she think she is?"

The mocking voices cut through me like knives.

I clenched my fists and looked up at Matteo, tears shimmering in my eyes. "You know exactly what this dress means to me."

Matteo met my gaze, and his heart trembled, his expression softening slightly.

However, just as he was about to speak, Sabrina stumbled into his arms and whimpered, "Matteo, my feet hurt so much."

Seeing her tears, Matteo hardened his tone.

"Alyssa, it's just a dress. I'll order the most exclusive piece from a luxury boutique for you later. Just bear with it for tonight."

"Absolutely not!"

I turned to leave, but the guards blocked my path. Then, Matteo grabbed my dress and ripped off the hem.

My heart shattered along with the ripping sound, and I silently apologized to Mom.

After that, he placed the torn fabric at Sabrina's feet. Only then did she flash a smile, pulling over a chair to sit down, her high heels planted firmly on my dress.

I held back my tears and glared at Matteo. "Alpha, may I leave now?"

He frowned at me and waved for the guards to stand down.

However, Sabrina was adamant about making things hard for me.

She gasped and exclaimed, "My ring is missing! Alyssa must have stolen it."

She pulled at Matteo's sleeve pitifully and pouted, "Don't let her leave. She was the only one with me just now."

I retorted, "Sabrina, stop making false accusations."

Matteo looked at Sabrina's aggrieved face, then at me.

The doubt on his face deepened as he said, "Maybe you just dropped it somewhere. Let's not jump to conclusions."

Sabrina stomped her foot and shoved Matteo's arm away. "Matteo, you're actually defending her?! You gave me that ring. Of course, I'm upset!"

I asked coldly, "Do you have any proof I took it?"

Sabrina huffed. "That's easy."

With that, she called the guards. As they blocked my path once more, she commanded, "Have them search you. If the ring is on you, that proves you took it."

Several burly guards approached me, grabbed my arms, and pressed me to the ground. A sense of danger washed over me as panic seized my chest, and I struggled desperately.

"It wasn't me! I didn't take her ring!"

However, no one seemed to hear my cry for help. They pinned me down and reached for my dress, ready to tear it off.

As they were about to rip off the fabric, Matteo frowned and was ready to stop them. Just then, a servant appeared with Sabrina's ring.

"I found the ring! It fell by the sink in the restroom!"

Matteo exhaled in relief and waved for the guards to back off.

Then, he took the ring and personally placed it on Sabrina's finger, saying gently, "The ring's been found. You can relax now."

Sabrina held the ring under the spotlight, examining it from every angle. Only after confirming it was the one she had lost did her smile return. She looked at me lying on the ground and tugged at Matteo's arm.

"Guess it was the hotel staff’s fault for not bringing it sooner. Poor Alyssa must've been so humiliated for nothing."

Everyone's eyes turned to stare at my disheveled state.

I lay there in front of everyone, hugging myself tightly. My body trembled uncontrollably as I sobbed.

From above, I heard Matteo's reluctant voice. "Take tomorrow off. The dress will be sent to your house."